Or are we like 2-2? Is this the last exhibition game? Maybe we’re already in the playoffs… Who knows? Whatever.

I am, as probably many of you are as well, a huge fan of Dynasty mode in NBA 2K(number). Picking a team – seldom a powerhouse, unless the plan is to tear it down to the studs, accumulate assets (I see ya, Daryl) – and reconstructing a winner in my own image. Assessing the “balance sheet,” identifying needs, wants, targets, potential deals. Embracing the struggle. Bear in mind, this is done with total awareness of the fact that I will sooner find myself flag bearer for the Albanian Olympic contingent than I will 60 games in with the juggernaut/plucky upstart I have so judiciously (like, 45 minutes) crafted (at least not without liberal use of “Simulate Game”).

And therein lies the rub of the real-life NBA. You’ve got to actually play the games. No Reset button. No “Simulate” that proxies the effort that the players should be putting forth. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – at some point you simply are what your record says you are.

For the 2012-13 Lakers, that point has long since disappeared in the rearview. We’ve waited. For Mike D’Antoni, for Steve Nash’s leg, for Dwight to regain beast mode, for the team to “get a few games under its belt.” We will continue to wait, because, well, what the hell else is there? The celebratory mood that permeated Lakerland last summer (you sick of those two words yet?), however, is no more. The numbers are the numbers. This is not “the best 17-25 team ever.” This is merely a 17-25 team, and probably not the best one ever. The names are recognizable. The results? Less so.

The statistically efficient offense is inconsistent and uninspiring. At both ends of the floor, turnovers continue to plague this team. Seldom is there both communication and effort on defense, and too often there is neither. The Lakers enter Friday night’s home tilt with the Jazz losers of 10 of 12 – the only wins a pair of triumphs at home over lackluster competition – and a mere three games out of the West cellar. Until further notice, that’s all ye need to know.

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Good preview. On related note of appropriate tone, I was at a game a couple of weeks ago, and I told my buddy that I wish they would bail on the dramatic projections on the drop cloth and pounding music. The way things are going, it would be better if Lawrence Tanter said, “Tonight’s starters are Clark, World Peace, Howard, Nash, and Bryant. The game will begin momentarily.’

Kobe Alert: KB moved into 25th alone for all time games and is now within 4 games of Shaq. He became the 14th player to log 44 thousand minutes. He needs 13 more FT’s to catch Oscar for 3rd all time. He needs 7 more defensive rebounds to catch Alonzo Mourning for 69th. He needs 8 dimes to pull even with A Iverson for 38th. Wilt is just 707 points away. Much was written today about Kobe’s salary. Throughout his career, KB has earned $307,587,211 (including 2012-2013). This is second all time to Kevin Garnett (Shaq is third). He will not catch Garnett in 2014 either, so this is another reason to sign him to an extension.

Lakers at least are putting up a united front. Duhon and Jamison will definitely put a halt to that. Please play Morris more than Duhon at least Morris has an upside. Coach plays Clark too long he loses his effectiveness the longer he’s on the floor because he gets tired.

Solid 1st half defense (particularly MWP). Kobe doing an excellent job of mixing up his attack between Facilitator and Scorer. Catching a break with Mo Williams out of their lineup, so we need to take advantage of it.

When Nash is tired he turns the ball over and is reluctant to shoot as he knows the shot will be short. He also knows that he has to try to play as long as possible in this game because Duhon is his backup.

What has Kobe not done this season to try to make the Lakers relevant?

Some 101Basketball D’Antoni didn t attend.If your PF (Gasol) is suffering because is difficult for him to defend a smaller guy make him post that guy every time on the other end of the court to compensate it.

It’s so frustrating when this team gives you a glimpse of how well they can play together knowing how little of it we’ve seen all season. Solid game tonight. They actually looked like they were having fun out there. Great scoring balance.

But we’ve seen this before. One good game followed by multiple games of crap. We need to do this consistently, not just once in a blue moon. Problem is, OKC is coming to town on Sunday. Let’s see how we respond…

What a game for the Lakers… led wire to wire, everyone contributing on both ends of the floor… 5 guys with 14 points or more, dominated the boards, shot the 3-ball well… but game ball has to go to Kobe Bean. He orchestrated the offense beautifully! That’s what the Jazz get for letting him operate in the post without double teaming!

Best stretch of basketball this year for Pau. Thanks to D’Antoni making him the 6th man. It’s worked and Lakers are better for it. He’s making an effort to put players in position to be successful as well. He deserves credit. Every game it’s an opportunity for KObe to play how he played tonight. It won’t always show up in the assists column but the energy was consistent throughout because everyone was involved. Good Win.

A rare missed game tonight–The bride and I share a birthday weekend again this year, so we were out on the town in the Great Plains and–in media darkeness for the game. Not surprised by the win, but surprised by the margin and the distribution of scoring. What is the scoop on the game tonight? The box score suggests that the game was played at a playoff-game pace instead of MDA’s usual push-the-ball gameplan–is that what the eye-test showed too? How did it shake out?

Actually, the bride is at least as big a Lakers fan as I am–but we live in South Dakota now-so when we are out and about–there’s no League Pass, and it’s Timberwolves country–so it’s touch and go on seeing the game if it isn’t a national telecast.